Ashes 2019: England, Australia Share Drinks after Gruelling Five-Match Test Series Ends in 2–2 Draw (View Pic)
Teams meeting each other to share drinks have been a common phenomenon in cricket across all levels of the game, especially in Ashes. Earlier teams met and shared a drink after each Test match but that tradition was out to end by Ricky Ponting following Australia’s Ashes series defeat in 2005.
England and Australia players came together to share a drink after a gruelling Ashes 2019 Test series ended on level terms with both sides winning two games each and drawing one. England won the final Test – at Lord’s Oval – by 135 runs to bring a fitting finale to five-match Test series that concluded with both teams at 2-2, a score-line that suggested that - apart from Steve Smith’s incredible run – there wasn’t much difference between both these teams. And therefore it was only fair that on the conclusion of one of the best, most dramatic and gruelling Ashes series of all-time, both teams decided to put aside all the sledging, duels and competitiveness of the battlefield to share a friendly drink and just engage with each other as mere mortals. England Beat Australia to Draw Ashes 2019 Test Series 2–2: Fans Hail England for Their Comeback but Reserve Special Praise for Steve Smith (See Tweets).
Jofra Archer took a six-wicket haul in the first innings of the fifth Test at Oval, while Joe Denly missed his maiden Test century by just six runs. Their efforts, however, added to Ben Stokes’ fifty and Sam Curran three-wicket haul, took England closer to victory before Jack Leach and Stuart Broad’s four-fers sealed a famous comeback victory for the hosts. Broad removed David Warner and also took the prized scalp of Steve Smith, while Leach now has a great opportunity of scripting a hat-trick after removing Australia's final two batsmen in consecutive deliveries with both catches going to Captain Joe Root. England Vs Australia, Highlights And Cricket Score 5th Test Match.
England and Australia Share Drinks
The victory – for the second time in five Test matches – helped England complete a memorable comeback in Ashes 2019. But these memorable wins weren’t enough for the hosts to retain the urn, which will go back down under with Australia, who will rue their inability to win Ashes 2019 series despite going ahead twice in four matches.
Pictures of both teams sharing drinks together emerged in the news moments after both sides completed their victory lapses – England for the Test match victory and Australia for retaining the urn. A report from news.com.au stated that Tim Paine and his Baggy Greens were invited into the English dressing room by Joe Root, which they gladly accepted.
Thank You Trevor Bayliss
A picture shared by England Cricket Board’s Head of communications Danny Reuben showed both teams under a single frame, sharing beer among themselves and also chatting about the scintillating series they just played. "This is what it’s all about," said Reuben in his tweet. “The cut and thrust of Ashes cricket. Let’s just have a beer and reminisce. Why cricket is the best!"
Warner, who endured a series of low scores and scripted a couple of unwanted records, was seen sharing a drink with Jonny Bairstow and Jack Leach. Pat Cummins, Chris Woakes, Steve Smith and Sam Curran were also seen chit-chatting with each other in the picture.
Teams meeting each other to share drinks have been a common phenomenon in cricket across all levels of the game, especially in Ashes. Earlier teams met and shared a drink after each Test match but that tradition was put to end by Ricky Ponting following Australia’s Ashes series defeat in 2005. Australia captain Michael Clarke also famously refused to take his team to the England dressing room for a drink after the conclusion of the first Ashes Test match in 2017.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 16, 2019 02:09 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).